小词详解 | attain

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小词详解 | attain
attain 英 [əˈteɪn] 美 [əˈteɪn]

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外刊例句

  • Shortly thereafter it said it would provide customers with 12.3m barrels a day (b/d) in April, about 25% more than it supplied last month—and a level it has never before attained.
    此后不久,沙特表示将在4月为客户供应每日1230万桶原油,比2月时增加约25%,是它从未达到过的产量水平。
    ——《经济学人》
  • Galloping quarter horses top out around 47 miles per hour, while sluggish humans, in the person of the world record 100-meter sprinter Usain Bolt, have attained a top speed of less than 28 miles per hour.
    疾速奔跑的夸特马速度最高可达每小时47英里左右,而行动迟缓的人类,即便是创造了世界100米纪录的短跑运动员尤塞恩·博尔特,最快的速度也还不到每小时28英里。
    ——《纽约时报》

基本释义

[verb] succeed in achieving (something that one desires and has worked for)
[动词] 成功地实现(某人渴望并为之努力的事情)

深入解读

Attain 是一个与熟词 obtain (获得、赢得)既同词根又含义容易混淆的单词。其中, attain 一词由前缀 at- (加强)+ 词根 tain, ten, tin (拿住)构成,14世纪出现在英语中后即用来表示“达到、获得”,侧重指在抱负或雄心的激励下,经过大量努力实现一般所不及或不敢追求的目的,或者说超出大多数人视野、范围或能力的目的,比如:

  • 跟你说实话,杰克就快要拿到飞行员执照了。
    To be candid with you, Jack is halfway to attaining his pilot's licence.
  • 在我看来真不可思议,他在音乐考试中得了最高分。
    It's a marvel to me that he has attained the highest grade in his music exams.

在这个概念下, attain 还常作正式用语表示“到达、进入、实现”某个特定的年龄、大小、数量、水平、状态、情况等,既包括努力实现而来,也可以指自然发展而来,比如:

  • 海豚在水中可以到达人类无法企及的速度。
    Dolphins can attain speeds in water which man cannot yet emulate.

权威用例

我们要常怀远虑、居安思危,保持战略定力和耐心,“致广大而尽精微”。
We must always keep a long-term perspective, remain mindful of potential risks, maintain strategic focus and determination, and "attain to the broad and great while addressing the delicate and minute".

出自习主席2022年新年贺词(双语全文)

不敢腐的目标初步实现,不能腐的笼子越扎越牢,不想腐的堤坝正在构筑,反腐败斗争压倒性态势已经形成并巩固发展。
The goal of creating a deterrent against corruption has been initially attained; the cage of institutions that prevents corruption has been strengthened; and moral defenses against corruption are in the making.

出自党的十九大报告(双语全文)

同近义词

  • gain: obtain or secure (something desired, favorable, or profitable)
  • compass: contrive to accomplish (something)
  • procure: obtain (something), especially with care or effort